Dončić left Saturday’s Lakers-Clippers game with a leg contusion. He missed three games earlier this year with a contusion to the same leg. Adam Pantozzi / Getty Images
INGLEWOOD – Luka Dončić didn’t return for the second half of Saturday’s game with the LA Clippers because of a left leg contusion, the Lakers said. It wasn’t clear how or when the injury occurred.
Dončić appeared to be playing with a limp for most of his second-quarter minutes Saturday night, though he was able to finish the first half on the floor.
The Lakers, already playing without starters Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves and reserve Gabe Vincent, opened the game by missing seven-straight shots while the Clippers quickly built a lead.
In his 19 minutes, Dončić was just 4 of 13, scoring just 12 points while turning the ball over four times. He had just one turnover Thursday during a 45-point triple-double in a win against the Utah Jazz.
The injury comes nearly a year to the date after he limped off the court with a left calf strain during what turned out to be his final game with the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day last December.
Dončić missed three games earlier this year with a contusion to the same leg.
The injury comes as the Lakers appeared to be close to getting Reaves and Ayton back from their injuries. Reaves has missed the Lakers’ last three games with a low-grade calf strain and could return as soon as Tuesday in Phoenix. Same for Ayton, who has missed the last two games with an injury to his non-shooting elbow.
Hachimura was added to the injury report with groin soreness after the win Thursday in Utah. During pregame media availability, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the team hoped he’d recover in just three to five days.
This story will be updated.